Prolia is a brand-name prescription medication that contains the active drug denosumab. It belongs to a class of drugs called RANK ligand inhibitors. Prolia is a biologic drug, and is not available in a biosimilar form.*
This medication has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat osteoporosis. In certain situations, Prolia is also approved to help prevent bone fractures in people with prostate cancer or breast cancer.
In this article, you’ll find additional information about Prolia’s dosage and details on how to take the drug. For a comprehensive overview of Prolia, view this article.
* A biosimilar medication is a drug that’s similar to a brand-name biologic drug (the parent drug).
Finding a healthcare professional
If you’re interested in taking Prolia, search here to find a doctor who might prescribe it.
This article describes the typical recommended dosage for Prolia. This dosage is provided by the drug’s manufacturer.
Your doctor will prescribe the dosage of Prolia that’s best for you.
The commonly recommended dosage for Prolia is shown below.
However, your doctor will prescribe the Prolia dosage that’s right for you.
Prolia’s form and strength
Prolia is available as a solution for subcutaneous injection. It comes in a prefilled syringe that contains 60 milligrams (mg) of drug per 1 milliliter (mL) of solution.
Typical recommended injection dosage
Usually, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of Prolia that gives the desired effect.
Your doctor will also likely recommend that you take calcium and vitamin D supplements during your treatment with Prolia.
Prolia dosage for all conditions
Below is an overview of Prolia’s recommended dosage for treating osteoporosis and increasing bone mass. The recommended dose and dosing frequency are the same for all conditions Prolia is prescribed to treat.
- Dose: 60 mg
- Frequency: once every 6 months
Children’s dosage
Prolia is not approved to treat children.
Length of treatment
Doctors typically prescribe Prolia as a long-term treatment. You’ll likely take it long term if you and your doctor feel it’s safe and effective for your condition.
Below are some common questions related to Prolia’s dosage.
Does Prolia have recommended renal dosing?
No. Prolia does not have a dosage adjustment for renal impairment. Therefore, you will likely receive the recommended dose of 60 milligrams (mg) every 6 months.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your Prolia dosage.
Is there a dosing schedule for Prolia?
The dosing guidelines recommend a schedule of one 60-mg dose of Prolia every 6 months. Your doctor will follow these dosing instructions when prescribing Prolia.
For details about Prolia’s dosing schedule, see the “Prolia: Dosage” section above. If you have questions about your dose of Prolia, talk with your doctor.
Typically, everyone who is prescribed Prolia receives the same dosage regardless of the condition being treated. Your Prolia dosage isn’t affected by factors such as your age or other medical conditions you may have.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about your Prolia dosage.
Prolia comes as a solution for subcutaneous injection. It is available as a single-dose prefilled syringe.
Your healthcare professional will administer Prolia once every 6 months. They may inject Prolia into your abdomen, upper thigh, or upper arm.
In rare situations, your doctor may give you the option to self-inject Prolia at home. In these cases, your doctor will show you how to inject Prolia. There is also a video on the drug manufacturer’s website that provides instructions on administration.
If you miss an appointment to receive your Prolia dose, call your healthcare professional right away to reschedule.
View these medication reminder options to help avoid missing doses and appointments. You could also set an alarm or download a reminder app on your phone.
Typically, Prolia is given by a healthcare professional. However, in some cases, your doctor may give you an option to self-inject Prolia at home. It is important to use no more of the drug than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, using more than the recommended dosage may lead to unwanted side effects or overdose. Do not use more Prolia than your doctor prescribes.
What to do if you take too much Prolia
Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much of this drug. Also, you can call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. However, if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for additional information about Prolia’s dosage. Keep in mind that the dosage presented in this article is the typical dosage provided by the drug’s manufacturer.
In addition to discussing Prolia with your doctor, you may find the following articles helpful in learning more.
- Overview of Prolia. For comprehensive details on Prolia, see this article.
- Drug comparisons. To learn how Prolia compares with Reclast, read this article.
- Information on side effects. If you’d like to know about possible side effects of Prolia, view this article.
- Details about osteoporosis. To learn more about osteoporosis, which Prolia is used to treat, see this article.
Disclaimer: Healthgrades has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.